Method and apparatus for providing parts to workpieces

ABSTRACT

The method and apparatus ( 10 ) for moving and positioning parts ( 150, 250, 350  or  450 ) on workpieces ( 160 ) is described. The apparatus includes a vibratory bowl ( 12 ), a conveyance and feed system and a positioning cylinder ( 82 ). The bowl aligns the parts and orients the parts using a gauge ( 16, 216, 316  or  416 ). The conveyance and feed system moves the parts through a conduit ( 34 ) using an escapement ( 44 ) to feed the parts one at a time to the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylinder has a pneumatic piston ( 90 ) with a piston rod ( 100 ) having an extension ( 102 ) and tip ( 104 ). An electromagnet ( 112 ) is mounted at one end of the positioning cylinder. When activated, the positioning cylinder extends the piston rod such that the tip extends into an opening ( 150 D,  250 D,  350 D or  450 D) in the part. The electromagnet is activated simultaneously and sends a charge down the piston rod which charges the extension which is constructed of a magnetic material. The part is held on the tip by the magnetic attraction to the extension. When the forward movement of the piston rod stops, the forward inertia of the part overcomes the magnetic attraction and moves the part off the tip to the workpiece.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a division of 09/109,296 (Jun. 30, 1998) that wasissued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,193.

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for conveying,feeding and positioning parts to workpieces. In general, the parts areto be welded onto the workpieces. The method and apparatus includes avibratory bin for orientating the parts, a conveyance and feed systemfor conveying and feeding the parts one at a time to a positioningcylinder which moves the individual parts to the workpieces. Thevibratory bowl moves the parts into a row and uses a gauge to ensurethat the parts have the correct orientation. The conveyance and feedsystem moves the parts from the bowl to the positioning cylinder,separates the parts and holds the parts to ensure that the individualparts are fed at a predetermined rate to the positioning cylinder. Thepositioning cylinder moves each separate part to each workpiece anddeposits the part on the workpiece. The positioning cylinder usesmagnetism to hold the parts during movement of the parts toward theworkpieces. The positioning cylinder then uses the forward inertia ofthe parts to deposit the parts on the workpieces.

(2) Description of the Related Art

The related art has shown various types of positioning apparatus forpositioning parts on workpieces. Illustrative are U.S. Pat. No.2,623,974 to Prucha; U.S. Pat. No. 3,293,402 to Graham; U.S. Pat. No.4,020,316 to Schaft et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,805 to Tobita et al; U.S.Pat. No. 4,754,116 to Naruse et al; U.S. Pat. No. 4,789,768 to Tobita etal; U.S. Pat. No. 5,359,171 to Aoyama and U.S. Pat. No. 5,688,414 toKondo.

In particular, Kondo describes a stud welding apparatus which uses anelectromagnet to pull and hold the flanged stud in the collet. The studis also held in the collet by the gripping force of a resilient gripperlocated in the bore of the collet. The apparatus uses a pneumatic pistonto move the collet with the stud toward the panel to which the stud isto be mounted.

In addition, Naruse et al describes a projection welder for welding anut to one side of a work. The welder includes a parts feeder connectedby a flexible feeder tube to a feeder head which feeds nuts to the lowerelectrode of the welder. When the preceding operation has been completedand the upper electrode has been lifted, a signal to the succeeding nutis emitted. Simultaneously, the electromagnetic coil is energized tomagnetize the push rod so that the shoulder surface at the front endportion of the push rod is also magnetized. The cylinder is activated tomove the piston rod, the connector and the push rod forward which movesthe front end portion of the push rod into the lower part of the chutethrough an opening. Thus, the nut turning portion at the front endportion of the push rod is inserted into the threaded hole in thelowermost nut in the chute and the shoulder surface on the push rod isbrought into abutment engagement with the lowermost nut whereby the nutis magnetically held on the nut turning portion.

The forward movement of the piston rod is continued and the lowermostnut is removed from the chute. When the push rod has been moved to aposition in which the front face of the nut is close to the nutcentering pin on the lower electrode, a sensor is operated tode-energize the electromagnetic coil so that the push rod isdemagnetized. However, the nut is held on the front end portion of thepush rod due to the inertia produced by the thrust force of the shouldersurface. The forward movement of the push rod is further continued tobring the front face of the lower part of the nut on the rod intoengagement with the nut centering pin so that the movement of the nut isnow blocked by the pin. Further movement of the push rod moves the upperpart of the nut so that the nut is rotated counterclockwise over anangle of about 90 degrees about the lower part thereof until the nut isplaced on the top face of the electrode tip with the threaded hole inthe nut receiving the nut centering pin. Thus, the nut makes contactwith the lower electrode and is rotated off the end of the rod.

The related art has also shown several different types of vibratingbowls for use with feed and conveyance machines. Illustrative are U.S.Patent No. 3,115,239 to Wright; U.S. Pat. No. 3,456,424 to Thurston etal; U.S. Pat. No. 3,457,693 to Jackson; U.S. Pat. No. 3,838,770 toCaffa; U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,653 to Mergl; U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,054 toKondo; U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,995 to Hamada and U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,575 toMcDonald et al.

In particular, Hamada shows, a parts feeder having a vibrating bowl. Thebowl has a helical parts feeding track extending from the center of theinner bottom of the bowl helically up to a parts outlet in an upperperipheral wall of the bowl.

Further, Caffa shows a vibrating bowl which has a spiral track mountedon the inside. The bowl can have auxiliary devices fitted on any pointof the inner wall of the container. The devices may be orientatingmeans, overflows, level indicators, sensors, selectors, orientating andselector devices, automatic column breakers, gauges, counters, etc.which allow for counting the workpieces, determining the absence orpresence of workpieces and keeping account of the features of theworkpieces.

Finally, Mergl shows the use of gravity and pressurized air to moveworkpieces along the chute components of a feed system.

Also of interest is U.S. Patent No. 5,248,869 to DeBell et al whichshows a composite weld nut locating pin.

There remains the need for an apparatus and method for moving parts toworkpieces which has a vibratory bowl for orientating the parts, a feedand conveyance system for moving the individual parts at a predeterminedrate from the bowl and a positioning cylinder which holds eachindividual part using magnetism and which deposits the part on theworkpiece using the forward inertia of the part.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method and apparatus for conveying, feedingand positioning correctly orientated parts to workpieces. The method andapparatus uses a vibratory bowl to arrange the parts in a single filerow. The bowl has a gauge which removes parts having the incorrectorientation from the row. It is important to correctly orient the partsto ensure correct operation of the remainder of the apparatus and toensure that the parts are positioned on the workpieces with the correctorientation. The vibratory bowl allows for quick and accurate sortingand orientating of the parts. The parts move from the bowl into aconveyance and feed system. The conveyance and feed system moves theparts from the bowl to the positioning cylinder and ensures that theparts are fed at correct intervals at the positioning cylinder. Theconveyance and feed system uses an escapement to separate and feed theindividual parts. The escapement uses a series of pneumatic pistons tohold the parts and block the path of the parts to prevent the parts fromrandomly moving to the positioning cylinder. The positioning cylindermoves the parts from the conveyance and feed system to the workpiecesand deposits the parts on the workpieces. The positioning cylinder usesmagnetic attraction between the parts and a portion of the piston rod ofthe positioning cylinder to hold the parts on the piston rod. Themagnetic attraction enables the positioning cylinder to move the partsto the workpieces at any angle without fear that gravity will act tomove the parts off the piston rod. The strength of the magneticattraction is such that the parts will move off the piston rod due tothe forward inertia of the parts when the positioning rod stops movingforward.

The substance and advantages of the present invention will becomeincreasingly apparent by reference to the following drawings and thedescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus 10 without the positioningcylinder 82 showing the vibratory bowl 12 and the escapement 44.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vibratory bowl 12 showing the levelsensor 26.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view along the line 3—3 of FIG. 2showing the parts outlet 20 in the vibratory bowl 12, the connection ofthe conveyor conduit 34 and the air assist jet 21.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the positioning cylinder 82 and the end track72 having a cut away cross-sectional portion showing the electromagnet112 and the parts 150 and showing the movement of the piston rod 100 andholding door 118 in phantom.

FIG. 4A is an exploded view of the end track 72 showing the partpositioner 78.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the positioning cylinder 82 showingthe piston 90, the piston rod 100 and the tip 104.

FIG. 5A is a side view o:f an extension 202 of an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the escapement 44 in the initial,start up position showing the first and second piston blocks 60 and 62extended into the passageway 50.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the escapement 44 showing the firstpiston block 60 extended into the passageway 50 and the second pistonblock 62 retracted to allow the parts 150 to move along the passageway50.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the escapement 44 showing the secondpiston block 62 partially extended into the passageway 50 such as tocontact and hold the second part 150F in the passageway 50.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the escapement 44 showing the firstpiston block 60 retracted to allow the first part 150E to exit theescapement 44 and the second piston block 62 partially extended to holdthe second part 150F in the passageway 50 in the escapement 44.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the gauge 16 of the first embodiment showingparts 150 having correct and incorrect orientations 150A and 150B.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along the line 11—11 of FIG. 10showing the gauge 16 with a part 150 having an incorrect orientation150B.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along the line 12—12 of FIG. 10showing the gauge 16 with a part 150 moving along the gauge 16 having acorrect orientation 150A.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the gauge 216 of the second embodiment with theparts 250 in the correct and incorrect orientations 250A and 250B.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view along the line 14—14 of FIG. 13showing the parts 250 having the correct orientation 250A.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view along the line 15—15 of FIG. 13showing the parts 250 having an incorrect orientation 250B.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the gauge 316 of the third embodiment showingthe ejector 322 and parts 350 having correct and incorrect orientations350A and 350B.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view along the line 17—17 of FIG. 16showing the parts 350 having the incorrect orientation 350B.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view along the line 18—18 of FIG. 16showing the parts 350 having the correct orientation 350A.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the gauge 416 of the fourth embodiment showingparts 450 having correct and incorrect orientations 450A and 450B.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view along the line 20—20 of FIG. 19showing the parts 450 having the correct orientation 450A.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view along the line 21—21 of FIG. 19showing the parts 450 having the incorrect orientation 450B.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sorting, feeding andpositioning parts for attaching to workpieces, which comprises: avibrating bin for sorting and orientating the parts into a row andmoving the row of parts to an opening in the bin wherein the parts inthe row have a similar orientation such that as the parts move throughthe opening in the bin, the parts have the same orientation; a conveyormeans having opposed ends with one end adjacent the opening of the binfor moving the parts away from the bin; and a piston means located atthe other end of the conveyor means for moving the parts from theconveyor means to the workpieces and positioning the parts on theworkpieces at a specific point with a specific orientation, the pistonmeans having a piston rod which holds the parts and an electromagneticmeans for magnetizing a portion of the piston rod for holding the partadjacent the portion of the piston rod wherein the piston rod moves in aforward direction to position the parts adjacent the workpieces andstops moving to deposit the parts on the workpieces.

Further, the present invention relates to a piston apparatus forpositioning parts for mounting on workpieces, which comprises: a pistoncylinder having a first end and a second end; a piston rod having afirst end and a second end with the first end slidably mounted in thepiston cylinder for movement between the ends of the piston cylindersuch that the piston rod moves along a longitudinal axis of thecylinder, the second end of the piston rod having a size such as to beeasily inserted into an opening in the parts; and an electromagneticmeans mounted on the piston cylinder adjacent the second end of thepiston cylinder for magnetizing a portion of the piston rod adjacent thesecond end of the piston rod such that the parts are held adjacent thesecond end of the piston rod by magnetic attraction between the partsand the portion of the piston rod.

Still further, the present invention relates to a method for positioningand mounting parts on workpieces, which comprises the steps of:providing a vibrating bin for sorting and orientating the parts into arow and moving the row of parts to an opening in the bin wherein theparts in the row have a similar orientation such that as the parts movethrough the opening in the bin, the parts have the same orientation; aconveyor means having opposed ends with one end adjacent the opening ofthe bin for roving the parts away from the bin; and a piston meanslocated at the other end of the conveyor means for moving the parts fromthe conveyor means to the workpieces and positioning the parts on theworkpieces at a specific point with a specific orientation, the pistonmeans having a piston rod which holds the parts and an electromagneticmeans for magnetizing a portion of the piston rod for holding the partadjacent the portion of the piston rod wherein the piston rod moves in aforward direction to position the parts adjacent the workpieces andstops moving to deposit the parts on the workpieces; feeding the partsinto the bin; sorting the parts in the bin such that the parts arealigned in a row and have the same orientation; moving the parts throughthe opening in the bin into the conveyor means; moving the parts alongthe conveyor means and feeding the parts individually at a predeterminedrate to the piston means; holding the parts adjacent the piston means;activating the electromagnetic means such as to magnetize the portion ofthe piston rod; activating the piston means such that the piston rodmoves toward the parts and contacts the parts and moves the parts to theworkpieces; and depositing the parts on the workpieces.

Further still, the present invention relates to a apparatus for sortingand orientating parts, which comprises: a vibrating bin having an opentop and a closed bottom with a sidewall extending therebetween having aninner surface, the sidewall having an opening adjacent the open top ofthe bin; a channel means mounted on the inner surface of the bin formoving the parts in a row from the bottom of the bin toward the top ofthe bin; and a gauge means mounted in the channel for removing the partsfrom the channel which have an incorrect orientation wherein the binvibrates such as to move the parts along the channel from the bottom ofthe bin toward the opening in the sidewall of the bin and wherein thegauge acts to engage the parts such that parts having an incorrectorientation are removed from the channel and deposited back toward thebottom of the bin.

Further still, the present invention relates to a method for sorting andorientating parts, which comprises: a vibrating bin having an open topand a closed bottom with a sidewall extending therebetween having aninner surface, the sidewall having an opening adjacent the open top ofthe bin; a channel means mounted on the inner surface of the bin formoving the parts in a row from the bottom of the bin toward the top ofthe bin; and a gauge means mounted in the channel for removing the partsfrom the channel which have an incorrect orientation wherein the binvibrates such as to move the parts along the channel from the bottom ofthe bin toward the opening in the sidewall of the bin and wherein thegauge acts to engage the parts such that parts having an incorrectorientation are removed from the channel and deposited back toward thebottom of the bin; feeding the parts into the bin; and activating thebin such that the bin vibrates and moves the parts along the channelwherein as the parts move along the channel the parts move across thegauge which removes parts having the incorrect orientation from thechannel and wherein parts having an incorrect orientation are moved outof the bin through the opening in the sidewall of the bin.

Still further, the present invention relates to a apparatus for feedingparts at a predetermined rate, which comprises: a housing having opposedopen ends with a bore extending therebetween along a longitudinal axisof the apparatus; a first piston means mounted between the ends of thehousing such as to extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thehousing wherein when the first piston means is extended, the firstpiston means extends into the channel; and a second piston means mountedbetween the ends of the housing adjacent to and spaced apart from thefirst piston means such as to extend perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the housing wherein when the second piston means is extended thesecond piston means extends into the channel.

Finally, the present invention relates to a method for separating andfeeding parts at a predetermined rate, which comprises the steps of:providing a housing having opposed open ends with a bore extendingtherebetween along a longitudinal axis of the apparatus; a first pistonmeans mounted between the ends of the housing such as to extendperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing wherein when thefirst piston means is extended, the first piston means extends into thechannel; and a second piston means mounted between the ends of thehousing adjacent to and spaced apart from the first piston means such asto extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing whereinwhen the second piston means is extended the second piston means extendsinto the channel; activating the first piston means such that the firstpiston extends into the channel and prevents the parts from movingbeyond the first piston means in the channel; feeding a row of partsinto the channel of the housing through one open end; activating thesecond piston means such as to extend the second piston means into thechannel such that a first part is located between the first and secondpiston means and wherein the second piston means contacts a second partin the channel and holds the second part in place in the channel;deactivating the first piston means such that the first piston meansmoves out of the channel and the first part between the first and secondpiston means moves along the channel and out of the apparatus;activating the first piston means such that the first piston meansextends into the channel and prevents the parts from moving beyond thesecond piston means in the channel; and deactivating the second pistonmeans such that the second part is released and moved toward the firstpiston means and is located between the first and second piston means.

The apparatus 10 of the present invention is used to position a part150, 250, 350 or 450 on a workpiece 160. The part 150, 250, 350 or 450must be positioned on the workpiece 160 with the correct orientation andmust be deposited on the workpiece 160 at a predetermined rate so thateach workpiece 160 receives only one part 150, 250, 350 or 450. Theapparatus 10 includes a vibratory bowl 12, a conveyance and feed systemand a positioning cylinder 82.

The vibratory bowl 12 is preferably mounted on a table or frame 162above a ground surface (FIG. 1). The vibratory bowl 12 is preferablymounted on the table 162 with resilient blocks or shocks (riot shown)spaced between the bowl 12 and the table 162. The shocks reduce thevibration of the frame 162 and noise of the apparatus 10. In thepreferred embodiment, the bowl 12 has an electromagnet (not shown) withsheet springs (not shown) to vibrate the bowl 12 and effectively movethe parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 along the ramp 14. The vibratingmechanism is preferably similar to vibrating mechanisms for vibratorybowls well known in the art. A hopper 164 for supplying parts 150, 250,350 or 450 to the bowl 12 is positioned above the bowl 12 (FIGS. 1 and2). The hopper 164 is preferably also mounted on the table 162. In thepreferred embodiment, the hopper 164 is spaced above and to one side ofthe bowl 12. The hopper 164 preferably has an outlet ramp 164A whichdirects the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 toward the center of the bottom12A of the bowl 12. The hopper 164 is preferably mounted at about a 7°angle downward from the horizontal at the top 12B of the bowl 12. In thepreferred embodiment, the hopper 164 has a size of ¼ cubic foot orlarger.

As seen in FIG. 2, the vibratory bin or bowl 12 preferably has a closedbottom 12A and an open top 12B with a sidewall 12C extendingtherebetween. The bowl 12 has a circular cross-section. Thus, the innersurface of the sidewall 12C preferably has a concave curvature. In thepreferred embodiment, the bowl 12 has a diameter of 12.0 inches (30.5cm). A ramp or track 14 is mounted on the inner surface of the sidewall12C of the bowl 12 and extends in an upward spiral from the bottom 12Aof the bowl 12 to a parts outlet or opening 21 in the sidewall 12C ofthe bowl 12 adjacent the open top 12B of the bowl 12 (FIG. 2). The ramp14 preferably extends 2 ¼ revolutions around the inner surface of thesidewall 12C. The first revolution of the ramp 14 preferably begins atthe bottom 12A of the bowl 12 and extends to about 2.250 inches (5.715cm) above the bottom 12A of the bowl 12. The second revolution extendsfrom about 2.250 inches (5.715 cm) above the bottom 12A of the bowl 12to about 4.000 inches (10.160 cm) above the bottom 12A of the bowl 12.The last quarter revolution of the ramp 14 about half way between thegauge 16, 216, 316 or 416 and the end of the ramp 14 preferably remainslevel at 4.000 inches (10.16 cm) above the bottom 12A of the bowl 12. Inthe preferred embodiment, the sidewall 12C of the bowl 12 has a heightof 5.00 inches (12.70 cm from the bottom 12A of the bowl 12 and the ramp14 has an upward angle of incline of about 4.75°. The sidewall 12C ofthe bowl 12 can also extend below the bottom 12A of the bowl 12. Theramp 14 is preferably angled with respect to the sidewall 12C of thebowl 12. Preferably, the ramp 14 has an upward angle of 950 from thevertical axis A—A of the sidewall 12C of the bowl 12 (FIG. 2). Thus, theparts 150, 250, 350 or 450 tend to move toward the sidewall 12C as theymove along the ramp 14. Preferably, after about 1¾ revolutions of theramp 14 from the bottom 12A of the bowl 12, a gauge 16, 216, 316 or 416is provided in the ramp 14. At the point where the ramp 14 meets thegauge 16, 216, 316 or 416, preferably the ramp 14 slants back to levelor 90° with the vertical axis A—A of the sidewall 12C. After the gauge16, 216, 316 or 416, the ramp 14 preferably again slants upwardpreferably about 120° with respect to the vertical axis A—A of thesidewall 12C. In the preferred embodiment, the ramp 14 has a width of1.00 inches (2.54 cm) for the first 1¾ revolutions up to and after thegauge 16, 216, 316 or 416.

To insert the gauge 16, 216, 316 or 416, a portion of the ramp 14 isremoved. Preferably, a 4.00 inch (10.16 cm) section of ramp 14 isremoved to allow for insertion of the gauge 16, 216, 316 or 416. Thesidewall 12C of the bowl 12 preferably remains intact. The bottom plate18, 218, 318 or 418 of the gauge 16, 216, 316 or 416 preferably has astraight, inner edge adjacent the sidewall 12C and does not curve withthe inner surface of the sidewall 12C. The type of gauge 16, 216, 316 or416 which is used in the bowl 12 depends on the type of part 150, 250,350 or 450 which is to be used in the apparatus 10.

In a first embodiment, the gauge 16 includes a bottom plate 18 having aseries of angled grooves 18A (FIGS. 10 to 12). The grooves 18A areangled in the direction of travel of the parts 150 and away from thesidewall 12C of the bowl 12. The grooves 18A are of such a width as toaccommodate protrusions 150C on the parts 150 (FIG. 11).

In a second embodiment, the gauge 216 includes a bottom plate 218 and atop plate 220 mounted together along one side adjacent the sidewall 12Cof the bowl 12 such as to form a slot 222 between the plates 218 and 220(FIGS. 13 to 15). The width of the slot 222 is preferably such as toeasily accommodate a flange 250C on the part 250. The top plate 220preferably has a width less than the width of the bottom plate 218 (FIG.13). The width of the top plate 220 is such that when the flange 250C ofthe part 250 contacts the top plate 220, the plate 220 moves the part250 such that the center line P₂—P₂ of the part 250 is beyond the outeredge 218A of the bottom plate 218 (FIG. 15).

In a third embodiment, the gauge 316 includes a bottom plate 318 and atop plate 320 (FIGS. 16 to 18). The top plate 320 preferably has a widthless than the width of the bottom plate 318. The plates 318 and 320 arepreferably mounted together along one side adjacent the sidewall 12C. Inthe third embodiment, preferably there is no slot between the plates 318and 320. The bottom plate 318 of the gauge 316 has a channel 318Bforming a lip 318C along the outer edge 318A of the plate 318 oppositethe sidewall 12C of the bowl 12. The lip 318C preferably has a heightapproximately equal to the height of a pilot 350C on the part 350. Anejector 322 is preferably mounted in the channel 318B of the bottomplate 318 adjacent the connection of the top and bottom plates 318 and320. The ejector 322 is preferably angled on the leading edge 322A tomove the part 350 toward the lip 318C on the bottom plate 318. Theminimum distance between the ejector 322 and the lip 318C is equal to orslightly greater than the diameter or width of the pilot 350C of thepart 350.

In a fourth embodiment, the gauge 416 preferably includes a bottom plate418 and a top plate 420 (FIGS. 19 to 21). The plates 418 and 420 arepreferably mounted along one side adjacent the sidewall 12C of the bowl12. The bottom plate 418 preferably has an opening 418B spaced betweenthe ends and the edges of the bottom plate 418. The top plate 420preferably has a width less than the bottom plate 418 but extends overthe opening 418B of the bottom plate 418. The width of the top plate 420is such as to contact the part 450 to move the part 450 toward the outeredge 418A of the bottom plate 418 such that a pilot 450C of the part 450moves along the outer edge 418A of the bottom plate 418.

In the preferred embodiment, the gauges 16, 216, 316 or 416 of all four(4) embodiments have the same length such as to be easily exchanged inthe bowl 12. In addition, the width of the bottom plates 18, 218, 318and 418 of the gauges 16, 216, 316 and 416 are preferably all equal orslightly greater than the width of the ramp 14 adjacent the gauge 16,216, 316 or 416. The gauges 16, 216, 316 or 416 are preferablyconstructed of hardened steel.

A parts outlet 20 is preferably located in the sidewall 12C of the bowl12 adjacent the open top 12B. The parts outlet 20 is provided with anair assist jet 21 which provides a stream of air from the inside of thebowl 12 through the parts outlet 20. The size of the parts outlet 20depends on the size of the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 being used. In thepreferred embodiment, for parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 having an outsidediameter of 0.980 inches (2.489 cm) and a height of 0.315 inches (0.800cm) the outlet 20 has a width of 1.110 inches (2.819 cm) and a height:of 0.380 inches (0.965 cm) (FIG. 3). The outlet 20 is preferably locatedin the sidewall 12C adjacent and slightly above the ramp 14 and spacedbetween the gauge 16, 216, 316 or 416 and the end of the ramp 14. In thepreferred embodiment, the outlet 20 in the sidewall 12C is spaced about6.0 to 8.0 inches (15.2 to 20.3 cm) from the gauge 16, 216, 316 or 416.The ramp 14 preferably extends beyond the outlet 20 at least about 2.000inches (5.080 cm). In an alternate embodiment (not shown), the bowl is adual feed bowl and the sidewall has two (2) identical parts outlets 20.In addition, in the alternate embodiment, a bypass block (not shown) ismounted on the ramp adjacent the first outlet. The block acts to moveparts away from the sidewall of the bowl such that the parts can movepast any parts blocking the first outlet such that the parts can movethrough the second outlet.

The bowl 12 has a first wiper 22 and a second wiper 24 mounted on thesidewall 12C such as to extend across the ramp 14 (FIG. 2). The firstand second wipers 22 and 24 preferably have a similar construction andperform the same function. The second wiper 24 is a back up in case thefirst wiper 22 does not perform correctly and fully. The first wiper 22is preferably located adjacent and above the ramp 14 after approximately1¼ rotations of the ramp 14 from the bottom 12A of the bowl 12. Thesecond wiper 24 is located just before the gauge 16, 216, 316 or 416.The wipers 22 or 24 are preferably formed from a rectangular piece ofsteel. The wipers 22 or 24 are preferably mounted at an angle such thatthe end of the wiper 22 or 24 opposite the sidewall 12C of the bowl 12is lower and closer to the ramp 14 than the other end of the wiper 22 or24 mounted to the sidewall 12C of the bowl 12.

The bowl 12 is also provided with a level sensor 26 which senses thelevel of parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 in the bowl 12 and stops the feed ofparts 150, 250, 350 or 450 from the hopper 164 into the bowl 12 when thelevel of parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 is too high (FIG. 2). In thepreferred embodiment, the level sensor 26 is a paddle switch whichincludes a paddle arm 28 which rotates or pivots upward to turn off thehopper 164 when parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 begin to fill the bottom 12Aof the bowl 12 (FIG. 2). The bottom of the arm 28 preferably has acurved plate 30 which allows parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 to move underthe arm 28 and pivot the arm 28 without jamming the arm 28.

Optionally, the bowl is also provided with a guide (not shown) spacedadjacent the sidewall 12C between the gauge 16, 216, 316 or 416 and thesidewall 12C. The guide acts to move the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450toward the parts outlet 20.

The conveyance and feed system includes a conveyor conduit or chuting 34extending from the parts outlet 20 in the sidewall 12C of the bowl 12 toan end track 72 adjacent the positioning cylinder 82. The conveyorconduit 34 is divided into a first section 36 and a second section 38.The first end 36A of the first section 36 is connected to the partsoutlet 20 of the bowl 12 so that the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 easilyflow into the end of the conduit 34 (FIG. 3). The conduit 34 ispreferably securely mounted to the outlet 20 of the bowl 12 by amounting clamp 40 (FIG. 3). The first end 36A of the first section 36 ofthe conduit 34 is preferably provided with a first proximity switch 42which acts to deactivate the hopper 164 when the first section 36 of theconduit 34 is full of parts 150, 250, 350 or 450. The first proximityswitch 42 is preferably mounted on the first end 36A of the firstsection 36 of the conduit 34 adjacent the outlet 20 in the bowl 12. Thefirst proximity switch 42 is preferably a sensory switch and senses theabsence or presence of the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 through theconduit 34 using electricity and magnetism. The proximity switch 42 ispreferably similar to the IGA 2008ABOA manufactured by Efector, Inc.located in Michigan. The first section 36 of the conduit 34 preferablyextends downward from the outlet 20 in the bowl 12 such that the parts150, 250, 350 or 450 move along the first section 36 of the conduit 34due to gravity. The first section 36 of the conduit 34 is preferablyadjustably mounted to the table or frame 162 (FIG. 2). The second end36B of the first section 36 of the conduit 34 is connected to the topend 44A of an escapement or parts feeder 44.

The escapement or parts feeder 44 includes a front plate 46 and a backplate 48 with mounting clamps 52 and 54 at each end for attachment ofthe conduit 34 (FIGS. 6 to 9). The second end 36B of the first section36 of the conduit 34 is mounted by the mounting clamp 52 to the top end44A of the escapement 44. The conduit 34 is mounted such that the parts150, 250, 350 or 450 easily flow from the conduit 34 into the passageway50 (to be described in detail hereinafter) in the escapement 44 withoutchanging orientation. A channel 46A is formed on the inner surface ofthe front plate 46 on the side adjacent the back plate 48. The channel46A extends completely between the ends of the front plate 46 such thatwhen the plates 46 and 48 are mounted together, a passageway 50 isformed through the escapement 44. The top of the channel 46A adjacentthe top end 44A of the escapement 44 is preferably chamfered to allowfor easy entry of the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 into the passageway 50and to compensate for any misalignment of the parts 150, 250, 350 or450. A first and second piston 56 and 58 are mounted on the outersurface of the back plate 48 on the side opposite the front plate 46.The pistons 56 and 58 are mounted such as to extend perpendicularthrough the back plate 48 and into the passageway 50 so that when thepistons 56 and 58 are extended, the piston blocks 60 and 62 of thepistons 56 and 58 extend into the passageway 50. The pistons 56 and 58are mounted in a spaced apart relationship such that the second piston58 is adjacent the top end 44A of the escapement 44 and the first piston56 is adjacent the bottom end 44B of the escapement 44. The pistons 56and 58 are spaced apart such that when the piston blocks 60 and. 62 areextended into the passageway 50, a single part 150E is able to belocated in the passageway 50 between the piston blocks 60 and 62 (FIG.8). In the preferred embodiment, the piston blocks 60 and 62 areprecisely positioned to fit only one and exactly one part 150E betweenthe blocks 60 and 62. The piston blocks 60 and 62 preferably have acylindrical shape with a diameter equal to or slightly greater than adiameter of the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450. The channel 46A in the frontplate 46 has a width equal to or greater than the diameter of the pistonblocks 60 and 62 and slightly greater than the parts 150, 250, 350 or450 such that the piston blocks 60 and 62 can easily extend into thechannel 46A and the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 easily move through thepassageway 50. However, preferably the width of the channel 46A is suchthat the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 can not move extraneously, side toside within the channel 46A. The pistons 56 and 58 are of such a lengthas to be able to extend completely into the channel 46A. The width ofthe channel 46A and the size of the piston blocks 60 and 62 preferablydepend on the size of the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450. The pistons 56 and518 are preferably pneumatic. The plates 46 and 48 are preferablyconstructed of hardened steel. An air jet 64 is preferably mounted onthe outer surface of the front plate 46 and is in fluid communicationwith a passageway 66 located in the front plate 46 of the escapement 44.In the preferred embodiment, the outlet of the passageway 66 is in thechannel 46A across from the first piston block 60. The passageway 66 ofthe air jet 64 is preferably angled such as to provide a stream of airin the direction of movement of the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 (FIG. 9).

The first end 38A of the second section 38 of the conduit 34 is mountedto the bottom end 44B of the escapement 44 using the mounting clamp 54similarly to the mounting of the second end 36B of the first section 36to the top end 44A of the escapement 44. The second section 38 ismounted such that the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 flow easily from theescapement 44 into the second section 38 of the conduit 34 withoutchanging orientation. The second end 38B of the second section 38 of theconduit 34 is preferably mounted using a mounting clamp 68 to the endtrack 72. The end track 72 is preferably spaced below the escapement 44such that the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 flow through the second section38 of the conduit 34 from the escapement 44 to the end track 72 due togravity. A second proximity switch 70 similar to the first proximityswitch 42 is preferably located on the second section 38 of the conduit34 adjacent the end track 72 (FIG. 4).

The conduit 34 preferably has a passageway 34A having a cross-sectionalshape similar to the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450. In one embodiment, thepart 150, 250, 350 or 450 is a nut and the conduit 34 has a rectangularcross-section. The cross-sectional shape and size of the conduit 34 issuch that the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 easily move through thepassageway 34A in the conduit 34 but have limited side to side motionand are unable to change orientation in the passageway 34A of theconduit 34. In one embodiment, the conduit 34 is twisted or rotatedbetween the ends such that the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 have oneorientation at the first end 36A of the first section 36 and have adifferent orientation as the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 exit the conduit34 at the second end 38A of the second section 38. The first and secondsections 36 and 38 of the conduit 34 can be separately rotated. Theconduit 34 would preferably be rotated 180° such that the orientation ofthe parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 is rotated 180° between the ends of theconduit; 34. The first section 36 of the conduit 34 preferably has alength between the ends of about 18.0 to 24.0 inches (45.7 to 61.0 cm).The second section 38 of the conduit 34 preferably has a length ofbetween 10 and 30 feet (305 and 914 cm). However, the overall length ofthe conduit 34 and the length of the individual sections 36 and 38 ofthe conduit 34 preferably depends on the position of the apparatus 10with respect to the workpiece 160. The conduit 34 is preferablyconstructed of a semi-flexible ultra high molecular weight plastic(UHMW). However, the conduit 34 could also be constructed of steel.

The end track 72 preferably extends from the second end 38B of thesecond section 38 of the conduit 34 to adjacent the electromagnet 112 onthe end cap 88 of the positioning cylinder 84 (FIG. 4). The end track 72preferably is angled between the ends such as to extend vertically fromthe second end 38B of the second section 38 of the conduit 34 and turnto a horizontal position adjacent the electromagnet 112. However, theshape of the end track 72 depends on the location of the positioningcylinder 84 and the position of the workpiece 160. The end track 72preferably includes a bottom plate 74 and a top plate 76. The bottomplate 74 has a channel 74A within which the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450move. The top plate 76 covers the channel 74A. The bottom plate 74 ofthe end track 72 extends from the mounting clamp 68 connecting thesecond end 38B of the second section 38 of the conduit 34 to the endtrack 72 to adjacent the opening 114B for the piston rod 100 in theelectromagnet housing 114. The top plate 76 preferably extends from themounting clamp 68 to adjacent the electromagnet housing 114. Thepositioning of the end track 72 ensures that when the parts 150, 250,350 or 450 reach the end of the end track 72, one part 150, 250, 350 or450 will be closely adjacent the opening 114B in the housing 114 throughwhich the piston rod 100 will be extended. The end of the bottom plate74 opposite the conduit 34 has a notch 74B which mounts around a partpositioner 78 mounted around the opening 114B on the electromagnethousing 114 (FIG. 4A). The part positioner 78 abuts against a shoulder(not shown) located in the notch 74B of the bottom plate 74 of the endtrack 72. The shoulder acts to secure mount and correctly orient thepart positioner 78 in the notch 74B in the bottom plate 74. The matingof the notch 74B and the part positioner 78 ensures that the end track72 is correctly positioned with respect to the opening 114B throughwhich the piston rod 100 will be extended. The top plate 76 of the endtrack 72 is preferably constructed of steel. The end of the end track 72is preferably securely and removably mounted to the housing 114 of theelectromagnet 112. A wear plate 80 is mounted between the housing 114 ofthe electromagnet 112 and the bottom plate 74 of the end track 72. Thewear plate 80 has an opening which corresponds to the opening 114B inthe housing 114. The bottom plate 74, wear plate 80 and part positioner78 are preferably constructed of hardened steel.

The positioning cylinder 82 is mounted spaced apart from the table 162having the vibratory bowl 12 and the escapement 44 adjacent theworkpiece 160. The positioning cylinder 82 is preferably located belowthe vibratory bowl 12 such that the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 move fromthe bowl 12 through the conduit 34 of the conveyance and feeding systemto the end track 72 by gravity. The positioning cylinder 82 includes acylinder 84, a cylinder piston 90 and a piston rod 100. The cylinder 84has an essentially rectangular shape with four (4) sidewalls forming asquare cross-section. The cylinder 84 has an inner bore 84A extendingcompletely through the cylinder 84 having a cross-sectional shapesimilar to the cross-sectional shape of the cylinder piston 90. In thepreferred embodiment, the bore 84A and piston 90 have a circularcross-section. The bore 84A of the cylinder 84 is closed at each end byend caps 86 and 88. One of the end caps 88 has an opening 88A extendingthere through to allow for extension of the piston rod 100 from thecylinder 84. The cylinder 84 preferably has a length of 14.750 inches(37.465 cm) without the end caps 86 and 88 and 15.750 inches (40.005 cm)with the end caps 86 and 88. The diameter of the piston 90 is preferablyslightly less than the inner diameter of the bore 84A of the cylinder84. The bore 84A preferably has a diameter of 1.500 inches (3.810 cm).The piston 90 preferably has a diameter of 1.230 inches (3.124 cm) and alength of 3.250 inches (8.255 cm) end to end. The cylinder piston 90 isslidably mounted in the bore 84A of the cylinder 84. The cylinder piston90 includes a bumper 92 and piston seal 94 at each end 90A and 90B witha wear strip 96 and magnet 98 spaced between the ends 90A and 90B (FIG.5). One of the ends 90B of the cylinder piston 90 has a threaded bore90G which extends coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the piston 90.The piston 90 is preferably fully reversible such as to simplifyconstruction of the cylinder 84. In the preferred embodiment, thediameter of the piston 90 remains the same while the diameter of thepiston rod 100, extension 102 and tip 104 (to be described in detailhereinafter) are varied to accommodate different sized parts 150, 250,350 or 450. The bumpers 92 are mounted in grooves 90C adjacent the ends90A and 90B of the piston 90. The ends 90A and 90B of the pistons 90preferably have a diameter smaller than the diameter of the piston 90.The bumpers 92 extend outward beyond the ends 90A and 90B of the piston90 such that the bumpers 92 make contact with the end caps 86 and 88 ofthe cylinder 84 and prevent the ends 90A and 90B of the piston 90 frommaking contact with the end caps 86 and 88. The bumpers 92 have an outerdiameter less than the diameter of the bore 84A of the cylinder 84. Thebumpers 92 are preferably constructed of nylon. The piston seals 94 aremounted in grooves 90D adjacent each of the bumpers 92 on the sideopposite the ends 90A and 90B of the cylinder piston 90. The seals 94have a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of the bore 84A.Consequently, the seals 94 are in contact with the inner surface of thebore 84A. The seals 94 prevent air from moving past the piston 90 whichallows the air to be used to move the cylinder piston 90 the seals 94are preferably constructed of nylon. A wear strip 96 is removablymounted in a groove 90E in the piston 90 spaced between the piston seals94. The wear strip 96 has an outer diameter greater than the diameter ofthe bore 84A. Thus, as the piston 90 moves in the bore 84A, the wearstrip 96 is in constant contact with the surface of the bore 84A. Thewear strip 96 preferably has a circular shape with a slit which allowsfor easy replacement of the strip 96 in the groove 90E. The wear strip96 is preferably constructed of a resilient material such as Teflon®.The magnet 98 is mounted in a groove 90F spaced between the wear strip96 and one of the piston seals 94. The magnet 98 preferably has an outerdiameter less than or equal to the diameter of the piston 90 such thatwhen the piston 90 moves in the cylinder 84, the magnet 98 does notcontact the surface of the bore 84A. The piston 90 is preferablyconstructed of aluminum.

The piston rod 100 has opposed ends 100A and 100B with threads at bothends 100A and 100B and is threadably mounted at one end 100A in thethreaded bore 90G in one end 90B of the cylinder piston 90 (FIG. 5). Thediameter of the rod 100 varies depending on the outer diameter of theparts 150, 250, 350 or 450 to be positioned. The rod 100 preferably hasa diameter between about 0.25 to 0.625 inches (0.64 to 1.588 cm). Therod 100 preferably has an overall length of about 15.125 inches (38.418cm) and is constructed of a magnetic material such as steel. Anextension 102 and tip 104 are mounted on the other end 100B of the rod100 opposite the piston 90. The extension 102 has a threaded bore ateach end 102A and 102B and is threadably mounted at one end 102A on onethreaded end 100B of the rod 100. The extension 102 preferably has adiameter similar to the diameter of the rod 100. The extension 102preferably has a length of between 2.50 and 2.00 inches (6.35 to 5.08cm) depending on the diameter of the rod 100. The length of theextension 102 is preferably inversely proportional to the diameter ofthe rod 100. The extension 102 is constructed of a magnetic materialsuch as steel. The extension 102 is also preferably heat treated toensure longer use and less wear. The tip 104 is preferably threadablymounted in the other end 102B of the extension 102 opposite the rod 100.Initially, the tip 104 has a diameter equal to the diameter of the rod100 and extension 102. However, after the tip 104 is securely mounted inthe extension 102, the tip 104 is ground down such as to easily fitwithin the opening 150D, 250D, 350D or 450D of the part 150, 250, 350 or450 without extensive movement of the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 on thetip 104. Preferably, the outer diameter of the ground down tip 104 is0.010 to 0.015 inches (0.025 to 0.038 cm) smaller than the innerdiameter of the opening 150D, 250D, 350D or 450D of the parts 150, 250,350 or 450. To securely mount the tip 104 in the extension 102, thethreads are provided with an adhesive such as Loctite® manufactured byLoctite Corporation. The end 104B of the tip 104 opposite the extension102 is also rounded during grinding to reduce the possibility of damageto the part 150, 250, 350 or 450. In the preferred embodiment, thelength of the tip 104 extending beyond the extension 102 is directlyproportional to the diameter of the rod 100 and extension 102. In thepreferred embodiment, the tip 104 has a length of between about 0.500 to1.000 inches (1.27 to 2.54 cm). The tip 104 is constructed of anon-magnetic material such as stainless steel.

In an alternate embodiment, the extension 202 has a bore 202E extendingcompletely through the extension 202 with both ends 202C and 202D of thebore 202E being threaded (FIG. 5A). The extension 202 is mounted at oneend 202A to the rod 100 similar to the preferred embodiment. The tip 204is mounted on the other end 202B of the extension 202 and ground downsimilarly to the preferred embodiment. The extension 202 is constructedof a non-magnetic material such as stainless steel. A magnet 203 isinserted into the bore 202E of the extension 202 and held within thebore 202E by the rod 200 and tip 204. The magnet 203 replaces themagnetic material of the extension 202 of the preferred embodiment.

The positioning cylinder 82 is preferably a pneumatic cylinder and hasair inlets 106 in one sidewall of the cylinder 84 adjacent each of theend caps 86 and 88 of the positioning cylinder 82. The air inlets 106preferably provide 20 to 650 lbs. of air to move the piston 90 in eachdirection within the cylinder 84.

Reed switches 108 and 110 are mounted on the outer surface of thecylinder 84 adjacent each end cap 86 and 88 of the positioning cylinder82 (FIG. 5). The switches 108 and 110 are mounted on a sidewall of thecylinder 84 offset from the air inlets 106 90°. The reed switches 108and 110 are preferably similar to the DB54L manufactured by SMCPneumatic, Inc. located in Marcross, Ga.

An electromagnet 112 is mounted on the end cap 88 of the positioningcylinder 82 having the opening 88A for extension of the piston rod 100.The electromagnet 112 includes an outer housing 114 having an innercavity 114A within which the coil 116 of the electromagnet 112 ismounted. The electromagnet 112 is mounted on the end cap 88 of thepositioning cylinder 82 such that the cavity 114A is adjacent the endcap 88 of the positioning cylinder 82. The cavity 114A extends onlypartially through the housing 114. The housing 114 has a square shapeand the cavity 114A has a spherical shape. The housing 114 of theelectromagnet 112 is constructed of a non-magnetic material such asaluminum. The housing 114 has an opening 114B in the end opposite thecavity 114A which is coaxial with the center of the cavity 114A and thepiston rod 100 when the electromagnet 112 is mounted on the end cap 88of the positioning cylinder 82. The size of the electromagnet 112 ornumber of windings in the coil 116 is preferably determined by thediameter of the piston rod 100 and the size of the part 150, 250, 350 or450 to be positioned. In the preferred embodiment, the same size coil116 having 2500 windings using #30 or #32 wire is used for a positioningcylinder 82 having a piston rod 100 with a diameter of between about0.25 and 0.625 inches (0.64 and 1.588 cm).

A holding door 118 is mounted on a side of the housing 114 opposite thetop plate 76 of the end track 72 (FIG. 4). The door 118 is L-shaped andis mounted such that one leg 118A of the door 118 extends adjacent thepart positioner 78 mounted on the wear plate 80 adjacent the housing 114of the electromagnet 112. The door 118 has a notch (not shown) in theend of the one leg 118A opposite the other leg 118B. When the door 118is in the closed position, the notch coincides with the notch 74B of thebottom plate 74 of the end track 72 and the opening 114B in the housing114 of the electromagnet 112 (FIG. 4). The notch is of a size as toallow the tip 104 of the piston rod 100 to extend beyond the door 118while maintaining the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 in position adjacent thepart positioner 78. The door 118 has a spring (not shown) which biasesthe door 118 into the closed position when the piston rod 100 isretracted.

The apparatus 10 is preferably controlled by a PLC micro controller 120having programmable logic and an externally mounted programmable DTAM(keypad) 122. The micro controller 120 has a variety of timers andvariables which can be adjusted for each individual user. The PLC microcontroller 120 is preferably similar to the micro controller sold underthe trademark MICROVIEW™ by Allen-Bradley. The apparatus 10 can also beoperated manually by the user manually activating the switches.

To begin operation of the apparatus 10, the apparatus 10 is powered upand the controller 120 runs through a check of the apparatus 10 usingthe first and second proximity switches 42 and 70 to determine thestatus and location of the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 in the apparatus10. If both the first and second proximity switches 42 and 70 senseparts 150, 250, 350 or 450 then the apparatus 10 is ready to proceed.The apparatus 10 then remains idle until a signal to position a part150, 250, 350 or 450 is received. If no part 150, 250, 350 or 450 issensed by the first proximity switch 42, then the bowl 12 is activatedto supply parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 to the first section 36 of theconduit 34. The escapement 44 is preferably placed in the start offposition with both piston blocks 60 and 62 fully extended into thepassageway 50 of the escapement 44 (FIG. 6). Thus, the piston blocks 60and 62 prevent the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 from moving through theescapement 44 and allow the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 to be stacked upin the first section 36 of the conduit 34.

To provide parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 to the conduit 34, the hopper 164is first provided with a supply of parts 150, 250, 350 or 450. Next, thevibratory bowl 12 is activated. The hopper 164 is then activated to movethe parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 from the hopper 164 into the vibratorybowl 12. The micro controller 120 is preferably programmed such that thehopper 164 can only be activated when both the level sensor 26 does notsense parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 in the bowl 12 and the bowl 12 isactivated.

As the bowl 12 is filled with parts 150, 250, 350 or 450, the arm 28 ofthe level sensor 26 contacts the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 in thebottom 12A of the bowl 12 which acts to pivot the arm 28 upward. Oncethe arm 28 pivots upward a set amount, the level sensor 26 deactivatesthe hopper 164 which stops the flow of parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 intothe bowl 12. The activating depth for the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 canbe varied by the user. Once in the bowl 12, the parts 150, 250, 350 or450 are vibrated up and around the ramp 14 inside the bowl 12. As theparts 150, 250, 350 or 450 move around the ramp 14, the parts 150, 250,350 or 450 pass by and under the first wiper 22. The positioning of thefirst wiper 22 with respect to the ramp 14 enables the wiper 22 toremove any parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 which form a second layer. Thepositioning of the first wiper 22 also allows the wiper 22 to remove anyparts 150, 250, 350 or 450 that do not form part of a single file row.The first wiper 22 is angled such that the extra parts 150, 250, 350 or450 are smoothly removed from the ramp 14 and deposited back into thebottom 12A of the bowl 12. The single layer, single file row of parts150, 250, 350 or 450 continues moving along the ramp 14 and moves by andunder the second wiper 24. The second wiper 24 operates similarly to thefirst wiper 22 and removes any excess parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 whichare not part of the single layer, single file row. In the preferredembodiment, the second wiper 24 is a back up and the parts 150, 250, 350or 450 are reduced to a single layer, single file row by the first wiper22. The parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 next move past a gauge 16, 216, 316or 416 which removes any parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 which areincorrectly orientated. The type of gauge 16, 216, 316 or 416 which isused depends on the type of part 150, 250, 350 or 450 which is beingorientated.

In the first embodiment, the part 150 is a nut or other type of fastenerhaving protrusions 150C extending out, parallel to the center axis P₁—P₁extending through the center of the center opening 150D of the nut. Theangled grooves 18A of the gauge 16 engage the protrusions, 150C of apart 150B which is incorrectly orientated with the protrusions 150Cfacing downward moves along the gauge 16. The angled grooves 18A slowlymove the part 150B away from the sidewall 12C of the bowl 12 and overthe outer edge of the gauge 16. If the part 150A is correctly orientatedwith the protrusions 150C facing upward, the part 150A moves smoothlyalong the surface of the gauge 16 toward the parts outlet 20.

In the second embodiment, the part 250 is a hex nut, round nut or otherfastener having a flange 250C on one side of the nut coaxial with thecenter axis P₂—P₂ of the nut extending through the center opening 250Dof the nut (FIGS. 13 to 15). The flange 250C has a diameter larger thanthe diameter of the nut. When the part 250B is incorrectly orientatedwith the flange 250C facing upward, the top plate 220 of the gauge 216engages the flange 250C and moves the part 250B away from the sidewall12C of the bowl 12 and off the outer edge 218A of the bottom plate 218.The top plate 220 moves the nut such that the center axis P₂—P₂extending through the center of the center opening 250D of the part 250Bis beyond the outer edge 218A of the bottom plate 218 and the part 250Bfalls off the bottom plate 218 due to gravity (FIG. 15). When the part250A is correctly orientated with the flange 250C adjacent the bottomplate 218, the flange 250C slides in the slot 222 between the plates 218and 220. This allows the center part of the part 250A to be completelyon the bottom plate 218 (FIG. 14) such that the part 250A remains on thegauge 216 and moves toward the parts outlet 20.

In the third embodiment, the part 350 is a hex nut, round nut or otherfastener having a pilot 350C extending around the center opening 350D ofthe part 350 (FIGS. 16 to 18). When a part 350B having an incorrectorientation with the pilot 318C facing upwards, moves along the bottomplate 318 of the gauge 316, the ejector 322 contacts the part 350B andmoves the part 350B toward the outer edge 318A of the bottom plate 318.The ejector 322 moves the part 350B until the center axis P₃—P₃ of thepart 350 which extends through the center of the center opening 350D ofthe part 350 is beyond the outer edge 318A of the bottom plate 318 andthe part 350B falls off the plate 318 due to gravity (FIG. 17). When thepart 350A is correctly orientated with the pilot 350C facing downward,the ejector 322 makes contact with the pilot 350C and tends to move thepart 350A toward the outer edge 318A of the bottom plate 318. However,the lip 318C at the outer edge 318A of the bottom plate 318 contacts thepilot 350C and prevents the part 350A from moving off the bottom plate318. In addition, the part 350A can contact the outer edge 320A of thetop plate 320 which assists in moving the part 350A toward the outeredge 318A of the bottom plate 318.

In the fourth embodiment, the part 450 is similar to the part 350 in thethird embodiment and is a hex nut, round nut or miscellaneous fastenerwith a pilot 450C extending around the center opening 450D of the nut orfastener (FIGS. 19 to 21). In this embodiment, when the part 450B isincorrectly orientated with the pilot 450C facing upwards, the part 450Bdoes not contact the top plate 420 as the part 450B moves across thegauge 416. Therefore, the part 450B is not correctly positioned on theouter edge 418A of the bottom plate 418. Consequently, the part 450Beither falls over and off the outer edge 418A of the bottom plate 418 orfall inward through the opening 418B in the bottom plate 418. When thepart 450A is correctly orientated with the pilot 450C facing downwards,the part 450A contacts the top plate 420 which acts to move the part450A toward the outer edge 418A of the bottom plate 418. The part 450Ais moved to a point where the center axis P₄—P₄ extending through thecenter of the center opening 450D of the part 450 is centered over theouter edge 418A of the bottom plate 418 and the part 450A does not fallover the edge or through the opening 418B in the bottom plate 418 andmoves along the gauge 416 to the parts outlet 416.

Once the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 move past the gauge 16, 216, 316 or416, the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 form a single layer, single file rowof similarly orientated parts 150, 250, 350 or 450. As the parts 150,250, 350 or 450 continue along the ramp 14 optionally, a guide (notshown) can be used adjacent the parts outlet 20 to assist in moving theparts 150, 250, 350 or 450 toward the outlet 20. In the alternateembodiment, where the apparatus feeds two parts simultaneously, a bypassblock adjacent the first opening moves parts outward away from thesidewall of the bowl such that the parts will not be caught or engagedby previous parts which have not yet entered the first opening. Thebypass block allows for flow of parts to the second opening regardlessof whether or not the first opening is backed up with parts.

As the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 move into the outlet 20 in thesidewall 12C, a stream of air from the air assist jet 21 within the bowl12 moves the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 through the outlet 20. The airassist jet 21 creates a venturi effect which helps to move the parts150, 250, 350 or 450 faster through the outlet 20 in the sidewall 12C.In the preferred embodiment, the air assist jet 21 provides a constantstream of air to continually move the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 throughthe outlet 20. Once the bowl 12 begins to move parts 150, 250, 350 or450 through the outlet 20, the bowl 12 preferably provides a continuousflow of parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 through the outlet 20 until the bowl12 is deactivated or the bowl 12 runs out of parts 150, 250, 350 or 450.The parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 continue to move from the bowl 12 to theconduit 34 until the first proximity switch 42 deactivates 42 the hopper164 and the vibratory bowl 12. The proximity switch 42 deactivates thehopper 164 and bowl 12 in response to the continual sensing of a part150, 250, 350 or 450 in the first section 36 of the conduit 34 for apreset amount of time and activates the hopper 164 and bowl 12 inresponse to a failure to sense a part 150, 250, 350 or 450. Theproximity switch 42 may also deactivate the bowl 12 and hopper 164 whena timer (not shown) which is started when the apparatus 10 is firstactivated and a part 150, 250, 350 or, 450 is not sensed by theproximity switch 42 times out. The preset length of time the firstproximity switch 42 must read a part 150, 250, 350 or 450 continuallybefore turning off the bowl 12 can be varied by the user in the microcontroller 120. The location of the switch 42 can also be varied alongthe length of the first section 36 of conduit 34. In general, the switch42 is activated when the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 in the first section36 of the conduit 34 extend completely from the second end 36B of thefirst section 36 of the conduit 34 to the switch 42. By activating anddeactivating the bowl 12 and hopper 164, the life of the bowl 12 andhopper 164 can be extended. Deactivating the bowl 12 and hopper 164 alsoreduces the overall noise of the apparatus 10.

As soon as the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 move through the outlet 20 inthe sidewall. 12C of the bowl 12, the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 enterthe first end 36A of the first section 36 of the conduit 34. The conduit34 is orientated such as to accommodate the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450having the orientation as determined by the bowl 12. The passageway 34Ain the conduit 34 is such that the orientation of the parts 150, 250,350 or 450 within the passageway 34A remains the same as the parts 150,250, 350 or 450 move through the passageway 34A. As the parts 150, 250,350 or 450 enter the first end 36A of the first section 36 of theconduit 34, the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 move by gravity to the secondend 36B of the first section 36 of the conduit 34 and the top end 44A ofthe escapement 44. Initially, as the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 moveinto the top end 44A of the escapement 44, the first and second pistons56 and 58 are extended such that the piston blocks 60 and 62 extend intothe channel 46A and block the passageway 50 of the escapement 44preventing the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 from moving into theescapement 44 (FIG. 6). If during the initial start up check, the secondproximity switch 70 senses a part 150, 250, 350 or 450, then theapparatus 10 will remain idle once the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 are atthe top 44A of the escapement 44 and in the first section 36 of theconduit 34 until the positioning cylinder 82 is activated to positionparts 150, 250, 350 or 450 such that the second proximity switch 70fails to sense a part 150, 250, 350 or 450 and activates the escapement44. If during the initial start up the second proximity switch 70 doesnot sense a part 150, 250, 350 or 450, then the escapement 44 isactivated to feed parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 to the second section 38 ofthe conduit 34, as soon as the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 are stacked inthe first section 36 of the conduit 34. When the escapement 44 isactivated, the second piston block 62 is retracted from the passageway50 of the escapement 44 and the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 move into thepassageway 50 until the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 are adjacent thefirst piston block 60 (FIG. 7). Once the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 arein the passageway 50, the second piston 58 is activated which extendsthe second piston block 62 into the channel 46A. However, due to thepositioning and size of the piston block 62 and the size of the parts150, 250, 350 or 450, when the second piston block 62 is extended, theblock 62 contacts a second part 150F adjacent and in front of the secondpiston block 62 and traps and holds the second part 150F in the channel46A (FIG. 8). A first part 150E is trapped between the first and secondpiston blocks 60 and 62 in the passageway 50. The first piston 56 isthen activated to retract the first piston block 60 from the channel46A. This opens the passageway 50 in the escapement 44 and allows thefirst part 150E to move out of the escapement 44 (FIG. 9). When thefirst piston 56 is retracted, the air jet 64 provides a stream of airthrough the passageway 66 into the passageway 50 adjacent the firstpiston block 60 in the direction of movement of the first part 150E. Theair jet 64 creates a venturi which helps to move the first part 150Equickly out of the escapement 44. The length of time the air jet 64provides a stream of air can preferably be varied in the controller 120.Once the first part 150E has left the escapement 44, the first piston 56is reactivated to extend the first piston block 60 into the passageway50. Finally, the second piston 58 is reactivated to retract the secondpiston block 62 from the passageway 50. Retracting the first pistonblock 60 allows the second part 150F to, move down in the passageway 50to the former position of the first part 150E and a third part 150G tomove into the former position of the second part 150F. If thepositioning cylinder 82 is positioning parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 andthe second proximity switch 70 is not continually reading parts 150,250, 350 or 450, the escapement process is then repeated starting withthe extension of the second piston block 62.

The escapement 44 separates and feeds the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 oneat a time to the second section 38 of the conduit 34 and eventually theend track 72. The escapement 44 preferably feeds the parts 150, 250, 350or 450 at a rate of between about 5 and 50 parts 150, 250, 350 or 450per minute. However, preferably the rate of feed can be adjusted by theuser. As the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 exit the escapement 44, theparts 150, 250, 350 or 450 move along the second section 38 of theconduit 34 to the end track 72 due to gravity. If the parts 150, 250,350 or 450 exiting the second end 38B of the second section 38 of theconduit 34 have the incorrect orientation with regard to the positioningcylinder 82 and the workpiece 160, the second section 38 of the conduit34 can be rotated between the ends 36A and 36B to change the orientationof the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450.

The parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 are fed to the end track 72 until a part150, 250, 350 or 450 is held in the part positioner 78 and the parts150, 250, 350 or 450 are backed up to the second proximity switch 70.When the second proximity switch 70 senses a part 150, 250, 350 or 450for a predetermined amount of time, the proximity switch 70 sends asignal to the controller 120 to deactivate the escapement 44 to stopfeeding parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 into the second section 38 of theconduit 34. As with the first proximity switch 42, the predeterminedamount of time can preferably be adjusted by the user. In the preferredembodiment, if the second proximity switch 70 does not sense a part 150,250, 350 or 450 for a predetermined length of time, the switch 70 sendsa signal to the controller 120 to shut down the welder interlink andprevent the welder from welding and the positioning cylinder 82 fromextending. This will prevent any workpieces 160 from being weldedwithout parts 150, 250, 350 or 450. Preferably, the timer will resetitself and restart the interlink as soon as the second proximity switch70 senses a part 150, 250, 350 or 450. In the preferred embodiment, thepredetermined amount of time is 0.5 seconds. It is necessary that theend track 72 be full of parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 so that the parts150, 250, 350 or 450 will feed properly. Preferably, during normaloperation, the escapement 44 will feed one part 150, 250, 350 or 450 forevery part 150, 250, 350 or 450 placed on the workpiece 160 by thepositioning cylinder 82. Once the end track 72 is full of parts 150,250, 350 or 450, the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 held in the partpositioner 78 is ready to be moved by the positioning cylinder 82.

Prior to moving the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 to the end track 72 andthe parts positioner 78, the piston 90 of the positioning cylinder 82must be all the way to end of the cylinder 84 opposite the end track 72with the piston rod 100 fully retracted. The position of the piston 90is initially determined when the apparatus 10 first receives the signalto begin operation. The position of the piston 90 is determined by asignal from the upper reed switch 108. If the upper reed switch 108makes contact with the magnet 98 on the piston 90, the upper reed switch108 sends a signal to the controller 120 indicating that the cylinderrod 100 is in the fully retracted position and operation of theapparatus 10 can begin. If the upper reed switch 108 does not makecontact with the magnet 98 on the cylinder 84, then operation of theapparatus 10 is delayed until the cylinder rod 100 is fully retracted.

When the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 are correctly positioned at the endof the end track 72 in the part positioner 78 and held in place by theholding door 118, the positioning cylinder 82 receives a signal to movethe piston 90 to extend the piston rod 100. As the piston 90 moveswithin the cylinder 84, the piston rod 100 moves out of the cylinder 84into the electromagnet 112, the lower reed switch 110 makes contact withthe magnet 98 on the piston 90 and sends a signal to the controller 120to activate the electromagnet 112. When the electromagnet 112 isactivated, the electromagnet 112 provides a charge in the piston rod 100which transfers to the extension 102 mounted on the piston rod 100 whichis constructed of a magnetic material. Since the tip 104 is constructedof a non-magnetic material, the tip 104 does not become magnetized. Asthe piston rod 100 continues to be extended, the tip 104 extends throughthe opening 150D, 250D, 350D or 450D in the part 150, 250, 350 or 450which is held adjacent the opening 114B in the electromagnet housing 114by the part positioner 78 and the holding door 118. The tip 104 extendsinto the opening 150D, 250D, 350D or 450D until the part 150, 250, 350or 450 is adjacent and in contact with the shoulder formed at theconnection of the tip 104 and the extension 102. Since the extension 102is magnetized, the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 is held and in contact withthe extension 102 at the end of the tip 104. The magnetic force of theextension 102 holds the parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 on the piston rod 100with angles up to 85° downward from the horizontal. The electromagnet112 may not be needed if the angle of placement of the parts 150, 250,350 or 450 does not require additional force to hold the parts 150, 250,350 or 450 on the tip 104. This would be true when the angle ofplacement is greater than or above horizontal. As the piston rod 100continues to be extended, the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 and piston rod100 contact the holding door 118 and pivot the holding door 118 out ofthe path of the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 and piston rod 100 (FIG. 4).The rod 100 is extended until the tip 104 and part 150, 250, 350 or 450are adjacent the workpiece 160. In the preferred embodiment, thepositioning cylinder 82 is positioned such that the piston 90 moves afull stroke to position the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 adjacent theworkpiece 160. In the preferred embodiment, the tip 104 does not come incontact with the workpiece 160. As soon as the tip 104 and parts 150,250, 350 or 450 are adjacent the workpiece 160, the forward movement ofthe piston rod 100 is stopped and the forward inertia of the part 150,250, 350 or 450 overcomes the magnetic attraction between the extension102 and the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 and moves the part 150, 250, 350or 450 off the tip 104 and onto the workpiece 160. The magneticattraction between the extension 102 and the part 150, 250, 350 or 450is chosen such that the forward inertia of the part 150, 250, 350 or 450is sufficient to easily overcome the magnetic attraction. In thepreferred embodiment, the same size coil 116 can be used to move any ofthe parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 to be used in the apparatus 10. Theapparatus 10 will preferably operate with standard, round, square or hexweld fasteners having a thread size of {fraction (3/16)} to ½ or M4 toM12. As soon as the signal is sent to the positioning cylinder 82 toextend the piston rod 100, a piston timer (not shown) is activated whichretracts the piston rod 100 after the timer is timed out. Theelectromagnet 112 is also on a timer and is deactivated when theelectromagnetic timer (not shown) is timed out. In the preferredembodiment, both of the timers can be adjusted by the user. In thepreferred embodiment, the electromagnet 112 is not deactivated until thepart 150, 250, 350 or 450 is deposited on the workpiece 160. However,the electromagnet 112 can be deactivated just prior to depositing thepart 150, 250, 350 or 450 on the workpiece 160 to ensure that theforward inertia of the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 is sufficient to movethe part 150, 250, 350 or 450 off the tip 104. It may be necessary toadjust the magnetic timer so that the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 will beheld on the tip 104 as the rod 100 is extended and will be released fromthe tip 104 when the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 is adjacent the workpiece160. In the alternate embodiment using the alternate extension 202, theelectromagnet is not used. The strength of the magnet 203 in theextension 202 is chosen such that the forward inertia of the part 150,250, 350 or 450 moves the part 150, 250, 350 or 450 off the extension202 and tip 204. When the positioning cylinder 82 returns to its fullyretracted position, the upper reed switch 108 makes contact with themagnet 98 on the piston 90 and sends a signal to the controller 120which sends a signal to the user's machine telling it that it is allright to perform its function. In the preferred embodiment, the lengthof time between the positioning cylinder 82 returning to the fullyretracted position and the signal to the user can be adjusted at thecontroller 120. Once the users machine is done, the apparatus 10 repeatsits operation. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 10 can providea part 150, 250, 350 or 450 to a workpiece 160 at a rate of 5 to 50parts 150, 250, 350 or 450 per minute.

The apparatus 10 can be used to place a round, square or hex weldfastener or rut on the lower electrode of a resistance welding machine.The apparatus 10 can also be used to deposit the part 150, 250, 350 or450 on a pin 166 on a workpiece 160 (FIG. 4).

It is intended that the foregoing description be only illustrative ofthe present invention and that the present invention be limited only bythe hereinafter appended claims.

I claim:
 1. An apparatus for sorting, feeding and positioning parts forattaching to workpieces, which comprises: (a) a vibrating bin forsorting and orientating the parts into a row and moving the row of partsto an opening in the bin wherein the parts in the row have a similarorientation such that as the parts move through the opening in the bin,the parts have the same orientation; (b) a conveyor means having opposedends with one end adjacent the opening of the bin for moving the partsaway from the bin; and (c) a piston means located at the other end ofthe conveyor means for moving the parts from the conveyor means to theworkpieces and positioning the parts on the workpieces at a specificpoint with a specific orientation, the piston means having a piston rodwhich holds the parts and an electromagnetic means for magnetizing aportion of the piston rod for holding the part adjacent the portion ofthe piston rod wherein the piston rod moves in a forward direction toposition the parts adjacent the workpieces and stops moving to depositthe parts on the workpieces.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein theparts are held on the piston rod by magnetic attraction between theportion of the piston rod and the parts.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2wherein the magnetic attraction between the parts and the portion of thepiston rod is of a strength so that when the forward movement of thepiston rod is stopped, a forward inertia of the parts is greater thanthe strength of the magnetic attraction such that the forward inertiaacts to move the parts off of the piston rod in the forward direction.4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the piston rod has opposed ends witha tip having a front portion and a back portion formed on one of theends of the piston rod wherein the back portion is spaced between thefront portion and the other of the ends of the piston rod, wherein theback portion has a size greater than the front portion and greater thanan opening in the parts such that when the piston rod is moved in theforward direction, the front portion of the tip extends through theopening in the part and the part is abutted against the back portion ofthe tip and wherein the back portion of the tip is constructed of amagnetizable material and the front portion of the tip is constructed ofa non-magnetizable material.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the binhas a gauge for orientating the parts.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5wherein the gauge has a groove which engages a protrusion on the partwhen the part has an incorrect orientation such as to move the part outof the row of parts.
 7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the gauge hasan upper plate and a lower plate with a space therebetween wherein theupper plate is mounted above the lower plate and extends over a portionof a width of the lower plate and wherein the parts have a flange and atop portion with the flange being larger than the top portion andwherein when the part is correctly orientated, the flange extendsbetween the plates as the part moves along the gauge and wherein whenthe part is incorrectly orientated, the flange engages an edge of thetop plate which moves the part toward an edge of the lower plate suchthat the part falls off the lower plate.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5wherein the gauge has an ejector which contacts a flange on the partwhen the part has an incorrect orientation and moves the part out of therow of parts.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the conveyor meansmoves the parts toward the piston means and feeds the parts one at atime to a point adjacent an end of the piston rod such that when thepiston rod is moved in the forward direction, the end of the piston rodextends through an opening in the part.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9wherein the conveyor means includes a feed means spaced between the endsof the conveyor means which separates the parts in the row of parts andfeeds each of the parts at a predetermined rate to the piston means. 11.The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the feed means has a pair of pistonblocks which act to hold and separate the parts such as to feed each ofthe parts at a predetermined rate to the piston means.
 12. The apparatusof claim 11 wherein the feed means has opposed ends with a channelextending between the ends and wherein as the parts move along thechannel, the piston blocks move into the channel to block the channel toprevent the parts from exiting the channel.
 13. The apparatus of claim12 wherein the parts enter the channel in a continuous flow and whereinone of the piston blocks acts to prevent a first part from exiting thefeed means by blocking the channel and the other one of the pistonblocks holds a second part in the channel by coming in contact with thesecond part to trap the second part in the channel such that when one ofthe piston blocks is retracted, the first part moves along the channeland exits the feed means while the second part is held in place in thechannel by the other one of the piston blocks.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein a stream of air is provided in the channel adjacent oneof the piston blocks to assist in moving the first part along thechannel and out of the feed means.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1 whereina sensor is mounted on one of the ends of the conveyor means adjacentthe opening in the bin for deactivating the bin when the parts in theconveyor means; are unable to move beyond the first sensor.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 10 wherein a sensor is mounted adjacent and spacedapart from the end of the conveyor adjacent the piston means todeactivate the feed means to stop a flow of parts from the feed meanswhen a portion of the conveyor means between the sensor and the end ofthe conveyor means adjacent the piston means is full with parts.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein an end holder means is mounted on the endof the conveyor means adjacent the piston means and holds the parts in acorrect orientation adjacent the piston means such that when the pistonrod is moved in a forward direction, an end of the piston rod extendsinto an opening in the part and moves the part out of the end holder tothe workpiece.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein a door is pivotablymounted on the end holder to hold the part adjacent the end of thepiston rod and wherein as the piston rod is moved in a forwarddirection, the door is pivoted out of a path of the piston rod.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes a conduitextending between the ends.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein theconduit is semi-flexible and is constructed of ultra high molecularweight plastic.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the conduit isrotated between the ends of the conveyor means such that the orientationof the part is changed from one of the ends of the conveyor means to theother of the ends of the conveyor means.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1wherein the parts are assisted through the opening in the bin by astream of air.